The words Wanderlust, Vagabonding and Wanderer gets thrown about alot in the travel community to define a life of long-term traveling. However, there is a new term and understanding to describe this community of migrants: That is, “Existential migration.”
It was through a fellow traveler that I discovered the work of Dr Madison, and his research on migrants who choose to leave ones homeland to become a foreigner. He came up with this new concept and defines it as “Existential Migration.”
Dr Greg Madison explains: “Unlike economic migration, simple wanderlust, exile, or variations of forced migration, ‘existential migration’ is conceived as a chosen attempt to express something fundamental about existence by leaving one’s homeland and becoming a foreigner”
Dr Madison interviewed a large number of individuals who chose to leave home to become a foreigner. His study generated consistent themes including the importance of independence, the need to live fully, the need for freedom, the value of experiences of difference and foreignness as a stimulus to personal awareness.
Among these migrants there is a marked preference for the strange and foreign and a consistent contempt for the conventional and easy life of the settled community.
He interviews an educated successful business man who has lived in many countries. “Alan” reveals his long-standing dilemma regarding the attraction and repulsion of belonging and settling in one place.
As I read more about his research, I could see that existential migration clearly described my life. At a young age I felt the urge to travel and to live overseas.
I have a wonderful family and friends, but the urge for adventure and for newness was too great.
So at the age of 22 I left my home country to travel – almost twenty years later I am still doing the same. I thrived on being away from the home comforts and away from the familiar. The thrill of not knowing what was around the corner was evident.
I needed to live consciously, and not automatically. I would return home for a while and as soon as I saw myself settling I would relax. But with the exotic being magnetic, the impulse for adventure was triggered again.
I’m never more comfortable than when I am out of my element, away from routine and familiar surroundings.
Like many other “existential migrants,” slipping into the mundane and habitual awakens the urge to live as a foreigner.
Dr Madisons’ concept also challenges aspects of psychological research into acculturation and relocation stress. For instance, when I relocate I am invigorated, rather than stressed. I become alive with the thought of experiencing a new culture or location.
But even for ‘existential migrants’ the day may come when their process becomes one of settling rather than migrating. Personally, as I get older I do see myself settling more. I believe at that point, you have to strike a balance. That is, having a home base with breaks traveling aboard – to become invigorated and alive and away from the familiar.
Finally there is an explanation to why people always have to pack up and go!
In a few days I will have a guest post from a traveler who is in her 60’ and still traveling. This amazing woman is currently teaching in Colombia, and her future plans include living in Egypt.
Stay tuned!
June 4, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Thats an interesting term!!
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June 6, 2012 at 6:25 am
Interesting idea. I was a dit deflated when I announced I would no longer be nomadic but in the last 5 months I decided I would be “home” I have been away for 2 of those months.
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June 6, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Its never easy to lay down the Backpack. The urge to get on the road is too strong. At least you did it for three months :- )